Here is a list of 17 Endangered Species of the Ocean with a short explanation on the reasons why their population is at risk. The animals range from sharks to corals. From the smallest to the biggest ones too.
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1. Giant Clam
The giant clam is the Largest Clam in the World. It is found in the Indian Oceans as well as the South Pacific Oceans. Specifically, the giant clam lives amongst the coral reefs.
The name definitely represents its size as it could weigh around 200 kg and could measure up to 120 cm. Additionally, they are able to live for a very long time, approximately around 100 years.
Read more: Threats to Marine Habitats
The giant clam is one of the ocean species that needs to be protected because their population is decreasing. Reportedly, a lot of people look for this giant clam as an addition to their aquariums. Meanwhile other people consume the clams as their food.
2. Krill
Krill is a small species of crustaceans found in the deepest parts of the oceans. They only measure up to around 2 cm. Due to the fact that they feed on phytoplankton, other animals eat krill as a suitable diet. This species is highly sought after because they are needed to feed animals in aquariums.
They are also eaten by people in the Philippines, Russia and Japan. Moreover, pharmaceutical companies also need krill for various reasons.
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3. Coleacanth
Coleacanth is a fish species that is thought to have been extinct 66 million years ago. However, the fish are seen to be alive in the year of 1938 and are still roaming the ocean in a very small population. Most of the fish are found along the shores in Africa, Indonesia and India. They are quite big, reaching the length of 2 meters. They weigh up to 90 kg.
Their approximate lifespan is around 60 years.The Coleacanth is a highly endangered species with only around 500 species left around the world. The biggest cause for their demise is accidental fishing by fishermen.
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4. Bluefin Tuna
The Bluefin Tuna is famous for its enormous size but they are also well-known to be highly endangered species of the ocean. This tuna can grow to 2.5 meters and weigh up to 260 kg. The reason for its increasingly declining population is overfishing. The sushi industries love to use its meat because of its flavour when eaten raw. Consumer demands also increase because it is already a popular delicacy.
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5. Beluga Sturgeon
One of the largest predators of the sea is the Beluga Sturgeon. It is a fish that mainly found in the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea and the Adriatic Sea. However, this species of fish is highly protected because of their decreasing population.
The Beluga Sturgeon reaches the size of 1.5 or 3.2 metres. As for the weight, it can weigh up to 264 kg. The fish has an extremely long lifespan which is around 118 years.
Humans contribute to their depleting population because they want the meat and the female Beluga Sturgeon’s roe. The Beluga Sturgeon is very famous for their delicious caviar which could be very pricy.
Read more:
- Ways to Stop Overfishing
- Endangered Fish Species
- Marine Protected Area
- Types of Algae
- Conservation of Tortoise
6. White Abalone
The White Abalone is one of the species of abalones found in various regions of Mexico and California. This sea snail can be quite large as its size can reach around 25 cm.
Declared as endangered species, the White Abalone is continuously fished for their delicious meat. Therefore its population is overfished and it takes a while to recover.
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7. Staghorn Coral
The Staghorn Coral is one of the major important corals of the Caribbean. It is found along the reefs of the Caribbean Islands, the Bahamas and the Great Barrier Reef. Moreover, they live 30 m deep into the water. Corals are crucial to other species of the water as they provide protection and a breeding place.
Unfortunately due to many factors, such as bleaching and rising temperature, it is reported that its population are decreased up to 98%. It takes a very long time, even years, for corals to recover.
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8. Elkhorn Coral
The Elkhorn Coral is similar to the Staghorn Coral as it also a very important corals in the Caribbean. The Elkhorn Coral is found in the reef of the Bahamas, the Caribbean and the Florida Keys.
For this specific coral, its population are decreased by 95% and so they are seem as critically endangered.
Bleaching, disease, global warming, climate change, rising temperature of the ocean and human activities have been contributing to its dying population.
Read more:
- Conservation of Coral Reef
- Acidification of The Ocean
- Effects of Ocean Currents
- Fishes in Atlantic Ocean
- Facts of Dead Sea
9. Leatherback Sea Turtle
This particular turtle species is the biggest species of turtle in the world. It lives in various parts of the world including the Arctic Circle, New Zealand, Norway and even Africa.These turtles are reportedly to have a long lifespan ranging from 30 to 50 years.
Currently, the population of the Leatherback Sea turtle is on the decline and they are declared as endangered. The reason for that is because humans take their eggs and nests for food. Some countries in the Southeast Asia sought after their eggs that are considered as rarity and special.
Read more:
- Endangered Sea Turtles list
- Threats to Sea Turtles
- Surface of Tension Liquids
- Climate of the Ocean
- Red Sea Fish Species
- Global Warming in Ocean
10. Humphead Wrasse
The Humphead Wrasse is a colourful fish that lives in the Indian and Pacific Ocean as well as the Red Sea. It can also be found in the east part of Africa.
They usually swim in a small or large group. The young ones are found in the shallow parts of water, near the coral reefs, while the adults swim in the deeper parts. A Humphead Wrasse measures up to 1 meter and weigh around 80 kg.
The population of the fish is rapidly declining due to overfishing and destroyed habitat. Excessive consumptions, by tourists and locals, as well as illegal fishing also cause the Humphead Wrasse to be endangered.
See also:
- Producers in Ocean Ecosystems
- Salinity of Ocean Water
- Volcanoes under the Ocean
- Conservation of The Great Barrier Reef
- Animals in The Ocean Biome
11. Hawaiian Monk Seal
The Hawaiian Monk Seal is an endangered seal as its current population is around 1,400 only. This seal that do not have ears are found in the Hawaiian Islands. The average seal can grow up to 2 meters and weigh 200 kg.
Read more: Ocean Animals
This seal is threatened by human activities and destroyed habitats. Humans hunt it for its skin. Moreover, it is often accidentally caught in nets. Disease also contributes to its shortcoming.
Read more:
- Endangered Sea Lions
- Ways to Save the Ocean
- Causes and Effects of Tsunami
- Endangered Species in Atlantic Ocean
- How to Prevent El Nino
12. Sawfish
The Sawfish has a slight similar appearance to a stingray. But what makes them stand out from the rest of the species is its nose extension which is flat and long. It is filled with sharp teeth resembling that of a saw. It found in warm waters of the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific, the Sawfish can grow up to 7 meters long. This particular species is declared as highly endangered to its rapidly decreasing population.
Destruction of its habitat majorly contributes to its ill fate. This fish is also overly fished because of its fins and liver oil. Unfortunately, sometimes they die because they are accidentally caught in nets used by fishermen.
See also:
- Endangered Species in Pacific Ocean
- Effect Of Sea Level Rise
- Herbivores in the Coral Reef
- Ways to Protect the Marine
- Differences Between the Ocean and The Sea
13. Whale Shark
The Whale Shark is also one of the biggest species of the ocean with a size that can reach 12.65 meters on average. It moves slowly and swim in warm oceans such as South Atlantic Ocean as well as the eastern waters of South Africa and many more. It can live up to approximately 70 years.
The most common cause for its death is accidental fishing. Sometimes boats crash into them. Due to its late maturity, it may take a while to recover its population number.
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14. Right Whale
The Right Whale is a relatively large species in comparison to those of humpbacks or the blue whales. Its size reaches 21 meters. As for its weight, it can gain up to 135, 000 kg.
Read more: Endangered Species of Whale
The Right Whale is endangered because of a lot of factors such as overhunting. This whale is desired for its oil. Migration can be the cause of its death. Sometimes ships accidentally strike them when they swim across oceans. Another reason is getting caught in nets or other fishing gears.
Read more: Facts of Blue Whale
15. Loggerhead Sea Turtle
This particular sea turtle is found in the Mediterranean Sea as well as the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. An adult Loggerhead Sea Turtle can grow up to 90 cm or 280 cm. It weighs around 235 kg.
The Loggerhead Sea Turtle is often caught in nets and other fishing gears causing it to suffocate and die. Its population also keeps decreasing because it takes a very, very long time for the female to produce eggs. They can only produce around four and have to wait for 2 to 3 years to lay more.
See also: Conservation of Tortoise
16. Angel Shark
The Angel Shark also has a similar appearance to those of rays. Its body is flat and wide with a long tail. It mostly found in the tropical waters of the world. An average adult Angel Shark can grow up to 1.5 meters or even 2 meters.
Read more: Effects of La Nina
This specific population continues to decrease because it is often fished by humans. It is used as baits to attract crabs and other animals in the sea. Reportedly, its population has been declared as critical and full protection of this species are in order.
17. La Plata Dolphin
This slow moving dolphin is the smallest species of dolphins as it only reaches the size of 1.8 meters. For the weight, it is only around 50 kg. To read a detailed information on this particular dolphin and other endangered dolphins, click Endangered Dolphin Species.
Read more: Ways to Save the Dolphins
This dolphin has a worryingly decreasing number of population. A large amount of these dolphins die because they get caught in fishing nets. Their habitat is destroyed due to poisonous and toxic waste from industries. Other than that, they are also hunted as food by the killer whales.
Read more: Smallest Dolphins in the World
Climate change, disease and human activities continue to contribute to the decreasing numbers of these animals’ population. As of now, numerous conservations and laws are declared in order to protect them from ever going extinct.